Pass Your Florida
Plumbing Contractor
License Exams The First Time

A certified licence covers plumbing statewide, drainage, water supply, gas, medical gas, fire sprinklers. Prepare for both exam parts with expert instruction, isometrics training and a full year of access.

Certified, Work Anywhere in Florida•Open-Book Exam•2 Exam Parts•

This is an open-book exam. These are reference-based exams. The goal is not to memorize every code, formula or rule - it is to know where to look, verify the answer and keep moving under time pressure. Gold Coast teaches a repeatable exam-navigation process through .

Trusted in Florida since 1970

90%
Pass Rate
55+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
across 8,200+ Google reviews

Choose Your Plumbing Contractor Prep Option

Every course prepares you for both parts of the Florida Plumbing Contractor exam: Trade Knowledge and Business & Finance. Choose based on what you already own and whether you want the course and reference set together.

Guided Path

$4,999$4,749
$250 off+$69 shipping est.Calculated at checkout

Best for plumbers who want the course and books plus a licensing specialist handling the DBPR application

Book option
0% APR or$198/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Everything in Confidence Path, course and complete book set
  • Dedicated licensing specialist, we prepare your full DBPR application package
  • Post-exam next-steps consultation
  • Priority phone support
  • Free retakes for a full year
Most Popular

Confidence Path

$3,749$3,499
$250 off+$55 shipping est.Calculated at checkout

Best for first-time test takers who want the course and the complete Plumbing reference set

Book option
0% APR or$146/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Everything in Essentials Path, course, workshops, simulator, isometrics
  • Complete set of Florida Plumbing Contractor reference books
  • Complete state reference materials for both exam parts
  • Lifetime set, plumbing code references yours to keep
  • Plumbing tab set + highlighting guides
  • Free retakes for a full year

Essentials Path

$1,199$1,049
$150 off

Best for exam-takers who already own the current required reference books

0% APR or$73/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Trade Knowledge and Business & Finance, in class, Livestream or 24/7 on-demand
  • Livestream Isometrics Training, draw and interpret an isometric plan
  • Unlimited online practice exams + exam simulator
  • New Student Orientation every Monday evening, plus virtual office hours
  • Weekend Cram Workshop
  • One full year of unlimited access
  • Free retakes for a full year
90%
Pass Rate
55+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
across 8,200+ Google reviews

Florida-owned and Florida-focused since 1970, nearly one million professionals trained.

Let Us Help You Choose

Check whether you qualify, then answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the best prep path for your situation.

Question 1 of 333%

Do you already own exam reference books?

Three Levels Of Help. One Clear Next Step.

Application Processing Service

$999

Best for: Owners who want expert help preparing a complete, accurate application and will handle filing themselves.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $999

What's Included

  • A dedicated Florida licensing specialist, start to finish
  • Full review of your work history and a plan for documenting it
  • Every form completed, worded the way the board expects to read it
  • Experience affidavit strategy: who signs, what it says, what to avoid
  • Secure document portal for everything you send us
  • Pre-submission review before anything goes to the state
  • Step-by-step submission instructions
  • Support if the board comes back with questions
  • Already been denied? We read the board's letter and rewrite the file before it goes back.
Most Popular

Application Processing Service Plus

$2499 $2199

Best for: Busy owners who want us to prepare, file and manage the application process from start to finish.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $2199

What's Included

  • Everything in Application Processing Service
  • Roughly $400–$500 in fees covered: credit report, fingerprinting and the state application fee
  • We order and file both your personal and business credit reports, from an approved provider and in the format the state requires
  • We submit your application to DBPR and pay the state fee
  • We track your application and answer board requests on your behalf
  • Status updates so you're never wondering where it stands
  • No additional fees at any step

All you do: two short conversations about your work history, and show up for fingerprinting.

Application Processing Service Pro

$3499 $3199

Best for: Owners who want the application handled and help getting their Florida contracting business ready to operate.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $3199

What's Included

  • Everything in Plus
  • Business formation guidance
  • Assistance with Business name validation and registration
  • A dedicated business and licensing specialist
  • Website review with a prioritized fix list
  • SEO and AI search health check
  • Google Business Profile setup or cleanup
  • Lead generation systems designed for your trade
  • Social media review for 1 platform of your choice (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn)
  • Marketing piece review (postcard, yard sign, flyer, or brochure)
Stories

Real Contractors. Real Results.

Verbatim quotes from verified Gold Coast students, straight from public Google reviews.

Troy B.

Construction Student

"Passed all three state tests on the first attempt. More than happy with my money being spent on Gold Coast Schools."
Verified Google review
Passed all 3 exams
Challenge

Troy needed his Florida contractor's license but wasn't sure which learning format would fit his schedule and learning style.

Solution

Gold Coast gave him access to multiple ways to prepare, including online practice, classroom instruction and intensive exam review.

Success

Troy passed all three state tests on his first attempt and felt confident he'd invested in the right preparation.

Ricky P.

Construction Student

"Passed all 3 state-level exams on the first try and left with lifelong friends and future industry connections."
Verified Google review
First try, all 3 exams
Challenge

Ricky needed a structured path through the Florida contractor exams and a study plan he could actually follow.

Solution

Gold Coast combined instructor-led preparation, workshops and support to give him a clear path from enrollment through exam day.

Success

Ricky passed all three state-level exams on his first attempt and walked away with new industry connections as well.

Thomas A.

Construction Student

"Definitely would not have passed either exam without Gold Coast's prep courses."
Verified Google review
90+ on both exams
Challenge

Thomas needed to prepare for his trade exam and Business & Finance and didn't feel confident studying alone.

Solution

He used Gold Coast's online trade preparation, business instruction, webinars and realistic practice exams.

Success

Thomas scored 90+ on both exams and credits the prep courses with helping him get there.

See which prep path fits your situation.

Know Your Exam

Your exam path has two parts. Business & Finance is a 6.5-hour computer-based exam you can sit at any time. Plumbing Trade Knowledge is paper-and-pencil on set dates only, and runs as two sessions in one day: isometric drawings in the morning, multiple choice in the afternoon, 110 questions and 5 isometric drawings, with 112 of 160 points to pass.

Trade Knowledge covers the Florida Building Code plumbing and fuel gas volumes, system sizing, isometric drawings, calculations and plan reading. Business & Finance covers contracts, liens, accounting and Florida licensing law. A Certified Plumbing Contractor licence lets you work anywhere in Florida. A county Registered licence does not.

Because the exams use approved references, preparation should focus on knowing the material and learning how to navigate the books efficiently under time pressure.

Confident in the exam details? Let's get you ready!

Our Proprietary Method

The TRICK™ System

An open-book exam isn't about memorization, it's a race against the clock. TRICK teaches you to find any answer in your reference books in under 3 minutes.

TTopic

Identify the main topic and key words from the question. What concept is being tested? What terms should you search for?

RReference

Determine which specific reference book is most likely to contain the answer. Each exam has defined approved references.

IIndex

Go to that book's index and look up the specific terms or keywords. Know exactly what words to search for.

CConfirm

Flip to the page numbers from the index, scan the relevant section, and confirm the correct answer matches what you find.

KKeep Moving

If the term isn't in the index, try the next reference book. If it's taking more than 3 minutes, flag the question and move on.

Every student learns TRICK. Our prep courses don't just give you books, they train you to navigate them with speed and precision so you walk into the exam confident, not anxious.

Want to master TRICK™? It's built into every prep course.

FAQ

Questions You're Actually Asking

Do I need a licence to do plumbing work in Florida?
Yes. Plumbing is a licensed trade and the scope is wide, drainage and sewer, water supply, venting, septic, wells, pool piping, irrigation, solar and pool heating, medical gas, fire sprinklers and fuel piping all fall under it. A Certified Plumbing Contractor licence covers that work anywhere in Florida.
What is the best Florida Plumbing Contractor exam prep option for a first-time test taker?
If you already own the current approved books, Essentials Path is enough. If you need the course and the reference set, Confidence Path is the simplest all-in-one, it is what most first-time test takers choose. Choose Guided Path if you also want a licensing specialist to prepare your DBPR application.
Can I repeat classes if I need more time?
Yes. Your tuition covers a full year, and during that year you can repeat weekday evening classes and weekend Cram Workshops at no additional charge, Business & Finance and Plumbing Trade Knowledge alike.
What exam sections do I need to pass for the Florida Plumbing Contractor license?
You will prepare for Trade Knowledge, Business & Finance. Each required part must be passed under Florida's current examination rules.
Are the Florida Plumbing Contractor exams open book?
The contractor exams are reference-based/open-book under current testing rules, using approved materials. That is why learning how to navigate the reference books quickly is a core part of Gold Coast prep.
Are the required books included?
Books are included only in packages that explicitly include the reference set. Essentials Path is intended for students who already have the current approved books.
What is the difference between standard books and exam-ready books?
Standard books are the required references without professional preparation. Exam-ready books include professional tabbing and highlighting where that option is offered, helping you locate information faster while studying and on exam day.
Can I study online or by Livestream?
Yes. Gold Coast offers flexible live and on-demand learning options depending on the program, so you can prepare around your work schedule.
How long do I have access to the course?
Gold Coast contractor exam-prep tuition includes one full year of course access.
What happens if I fail one exam section?
Because the licensing exam is divided into separate parts, you generally retake the part you did not pass rather than repeating sections you already passed, subject to Florida’s current exam rules and score-validity requirements.
What experience do I need for the Florida Plumbing Contractor license?
Four years of qualifying plumbing experience, at least one of them as a foreman. Up to three of the four years can be covered by accredited college credits, or by active-duty military service. Experience does not have to be gained in Florida or even the United States, so long as it can be verified and notarised by a licensed plumbing contractor.
What if my credit score is below 660?
You can still get licensed. DBPR requires a FICO-derived score of 660 or higher, and applicants below that must complete a board-approved 14-hour Financial Responsibility and Stability course. Gold Coast offers exactly that course, and a licensing specialist can confirm what applies to you.
Can Gold Coast help with my license application?
Yes. Choose the $79 Start-Up Application Consultation if you mainly need direction, or the Full Application Processing Service if you want more hands-on help preparing and organizing the application package.
Can I talk to a real person before I enroll?
Absolutely. If you are unsure which license, books or package you need, call Gold Coast at 1-800-732-9140 before purchasing.
How does Gold Coast prepare me for the isometric drawings?
The morning session of the Plumbing Trade Knowledge exam is isometric drawings. Livestream Isometrics Training is included in every plumbing package, our instructors teach you how to draw and interpret an isometric plan, which is the part most candidates have never done before.

Questions answered? Let's get you licensed.

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